Date:         Mon, 29 Aug 2005 08:48:37 -0400
Reply-To:     Don in North Carolina <vanagondon@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Don in North Carolina <vanagondon@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: heaviest oil to use??
Comments: To: Jonce Fancher <streetbugs@whispllc.com>
In-Reply-To:  <vanagon%2005082908105165@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

On 8/29/05, Jonce Fancher <streetbugs@whispllc.com> wrote:
> Hi all
> i need to change the oil in my 85 westi. ive run Marvel oil for while to loosen up everything (ie lifters,valves mainly) so now it is time to adjust the valves and put
> in fresh oil and filter. the oil i usually use is 20-50 but have heard of sae 40. the motor is not new and the oil light did come on after freeway flying before i put in
> Marvel oil. i would like to use a heavier/ thicker oil since i will have a little marvel oil still in the case during the oil change. can anyone tell me if a thicker oil is out
> there?? maybe used in diesels? i know hyploid oil 80-90 is thicker (Just kidding). by the way the van is running on all cylinders has a little hesitation when
> stepping on the gas and is a bit sluggish but i also know it was fully loaded with camp gear and a family of 4 so im not supprised. thanks Jonce
> if there is an archive on this let me know and i will check it out.
> 
> Jonce Fancher

Jonce,

In my opinion (let the flames begin!) you should not try to band-aid
an oil pressure problem by running a higher viscosity oil then is
recommended.  I do not use straight weight oils in a water-cooled
engine, as they are not flexible enough with external temperature
changes.

I use 15W-50 Mobil 1 in my van, with the correct filters.  If my van
was setting off the oil pressure light, I would check my oil pressure
with a gauge.  If the pressure reads correctly with the gauge, I would
repair the sensing system.  If it read low, I would fix the engine.

If you ran straight 50 or 60 weight oil, it may boost your pressure
enough to shut off the light, but it will toast the engine due to oil
starvation (higher oil pressure but lower volume).  If you are going
to go that route, you might as well defeat the sensor and run 20W-50
oil, the engine MAY last a while that way...
-- 
Don in Reidsville, NC
1986 Kawasaki Concours
1988 Vanagon GL (Sylvia)
"I reject your reality and substitute my own." - Adam Savage